Orange County seeking wanted fugitive

Deputies with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office are searching for a fugitive wanted for two counts of aggravated sexual assault of a child. They are asking for the public’s help in locating 58-year-old Robert Gehagan.

According to a news release from the sheriff’s office, Gehagan's arrest is warranted based on incidents occurring in November 2004 when he was living in a shed behind a friend’s house in Vidor. At that time, OCSO reports, Gehagan began sexually assaulting a 9-year-old female. The child was taken for medical evaluation, and then aggravated sexual assault of a child charges were formally filed against Gehagan. When the family confronted Gehagan, they reported he quickly packed his belongings and fled in his pick-up truck.

During the investigation, authorities reportedly discovered a second victim, an 8-year-old girl. In February 2005, two warrants were issued for Gehagan’s arrest. Police continue to search for the wanted man.

Deputies believe Gehagan was raised in Ponchatoula, La., and might still have friends or family in that area. He could be working as a handyman and likely would want to be paid in cash, according to the news release. He could be using fictitious identifying documents.

Contact OCSO at (409) 883-8612 if you have any information regarding the location of the fugitive.

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